Direction-signal device



July 15, 1930. 1. w. MARTIN Er AL DIRECTION SIGNAL DEVICE Filed NOV. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet l :raue/17.965 .7s/m Mary' July 15, 1930. J. w. MARTIN Er AL 1,770,415

DIRECTION SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1928 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Im I? DIRECTION STGNAL DEVICE Filed Nov. 20, 1928 la 9 il i 10.* Y Il k 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 July 15, 1930. 1 w MARTlN Er Al. 1,770,415

DIRECTION SIGNAL DEVICE Filed Nov. y2O, 1928 4 Sheets-sheen 4 i Patented July 15, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN WINTER MARTIN, ERNEST WILLIAN HANNING, AND JESS ANTHONY MANNING,

OF PORTLAND, OREGON; SAID ERNEST WILLIAN MANNING AND SAID JESS AN- THONY MANNING ASSIGNORS TO SAID JOHN WINTER MARTIN AND HARRY WIL- LIAN MANNIN G DIRECTION-SIGNAL DEVICE Application ledNovember 20, 1928. Serial No. 320,642.

Our invention relates to the providing of illuminable electric direction signals for motor vehicles, hereinafter called the si-gnals, thereby to indicate a change in direction of the motor vehicle suiiicientl in advance of the turning'point to enable t e other vehicles to observe and heed such signal. Since in modern motor vehicles thesteering mechanism. is so geared that more than a complete revolution of the steerin wheel is required to change the direction of the vehicle, it is necessary that the throwing on of the signals 'be arranged to permit the steering wheel to be operated for keeping the vehicle on its strai hty ahead course, without throwing on the direct-ion signals since such would create confusion.

The object of our invention therefore is vto` provide an essentially automatic, illuminable irection signalling device adapted to indicate intended changes in direction suiiciently in advance ofmaking the turn so that the other vehicles may have ample opportunity to heed such signal and adjust their course accordingly; in that way rendering the traflic more safe. At the same time so arranging the signal operating devices that the right or left turn signals will not be thrown on by the operation of the steering wheel for holding the vehicle toa straight ahead course; but that these signals will only be thrown on when the steering wheel is operated to the,

degree necessary to turn a. corner, or to move the vehicle from one lane of trailic to another.

In other words, the object of our invention is to provide a dependable signalling device of the character mentioned which is adapted to ermit the steering` wheel to be rotated sufficiently in either direction as necessary to kee the automobile on a straight course, witiiout throwing on said directlon signals, until the steering wheel is operatedto change the course of the automobile, for going into another lane of trailic or making a turn into a cross street.

A further incidental object is to vprovide a signal device adapted to actuate a dlstinctivey central straight ahead signal which will serve as means for orienting the direction signal shown by its location to the central slgnal.

,I neutral position by the subsequent operation by the driver of the steering wheel. By this arrangement the giving of a wrong signal by the manual switch is automatically corrected by the subsequent turning of the steering wheel in the rightdirection.

A furtherobject of our invention is to provide, in an electric direction signalling device for automobiles, a switch controllingindependent electric signals, the switch comprising an assembly of relatively fixed contacts to which the battery wires are connected, and an operable member constituting the brush of said contacts; the said assembly being carried by a removable section of the suport of the switch; the operable-switch memer being connected by operating means with the steering wheel, and said operable member and operating means being carried by the relatively fixed section of said support.

By this arrangement said assembly may be readily connected with the energizingwcircuit p andas readily removed as 'a unit, without disturbing said operable switch member and the said operating connections thereof with the steering wheel. p `1 The above mentioned, and incidental features of our invention, the details of construction and themode of operation thereof, are hereinafter fully described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings:

Fig, 1 shows our invention mounted on the steering wheel ost of a motor Ivehicle, and illustrates the circuits connecting it with the illuminable electric Isignals carried on the front and rear ofthe motor vehicle;

Fig. 1l shows the said circuits adapted for continuous illumination of a central guide si al; j

- `ig. 1b shows our invention in a similar view to Fig. l, except taken from the other side and removed fromr the steering wheel Post; A

Fig. 2 shows our invention with one side of the housing or casing removed but with the body of the housing or casing attached to the steering post, 'andillustrates partly in section the means carried by the steering wheel for operating it;

Fig. 8 shows a section taken on the line 3-3 of Fig. 2 looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 4 shows in elevation a detail view of the switch elements carried by the removable side of the casing;

Fig. 5 shows a section on a plane indicated by the line 5-5 in Fig. 3, looking in the direction indicated by the arrows;

Fig. 6 shows a perspective view of the manual switch by itself;

Fig. 7 shows anenlarged fragmentary sectional elevation of our signal device by itself;

Fig. 8 shows on a reduced scale a transverse section taken on the line 8 8 of Fig. 7

Fig. 9 shows a section taken on the line 9-9 of Fig. 7

Fig. 10 shows a section taken on the line 10-10 of Fig. 9;

Fig. 1l shows an enlarged perspective yview of the insulating mounting of the stationary switch elements; and- Fig. 12 shows the contact or switch elements carried by the removable side of the casing removed from their said insulating mounting.

With reference to thefgures, our `invention consists of a housing or casing'a secured` to the steering post b of a motor vehicle, just below the steering wheel c, by means of suitable shackles d, with one side of the body of the casing parallel with lthe axis of the steering post.

A circular bushing b2 is rovided similarl between the ring-like mem er e and the hu of the steering wheel o.

The housing or casing a is adapted to fit the largest standard sizes of steering posts but in case our signal device is to be Asecured to a smaller size of steering post, we provide a semi-circular bushin b', as shown in Fig. 3.

The ring-like mem er e is secured to the steerin wheel as at e', and is provided with interna gtear teeth f.

A sha or spindle isjournaled in the body of said 'casing as at i and i, its upper end projecting through the casing and such end carries a pinion j meshing with s aid internal gear teeth f. The portion of the shaft or spindle i between its journal ends has a worm k. A stub shaft mis journaled in one side of the casing body a and a worm gear 'n is carried by the said shaft, in mesh with the said worm k.

The outer end of the shaft m is provided with a head mon which is a mark m, adapted for registration with a similar mark a on the outer surface of the casing a, so that the relative positions of the inclosed mechanism manbe conveniently determined, see Fi .,1". arm o is secured on the pinion en and carries a radially disposed block of insulatin material p. A metal contact bar vor switc member g is loosely carried in a cavity p provided in said block p. See Figs. 2 and 3. Small coil springs g serve to hold the'contact-piece g projecting from the block (see Figs. 2 and 3), assuring contact with the contacts t, 8, s', 82, thus compensating for looseness which may develop in the gearing. Furthermore, the switch member g is tapered in cross section towards its face bearing on said contacts, as shown in Fig. 9, and such taper may be conformed relatively to the predetermined amount of movement to be permitted the switch member g without making contact with either of the contacts s or s2. Said taper further tends to cause said bearing face to be broadened bywear, and thus compensate for any lost motion of the gearing, due to wear of its members.

Mounted on the removable side a2 of the casing a oppositely to the worm gear n is an insulating block r, Figs. 10 and 11, which carries concentric contacts t, s, a', 82 centered to correspond with the center of the worm gear fn, see Figs. l1 and 12. The circuit wires 2, 3, 4, 5 are connected to the said contacts as at 2, 3, 4*, and 5, Fi 10; the circuit wires being extended into t e casing through the slot a3 of the bottom of the casing.

The circuits 3 and 5 are also connected by means of bus bars 3", and 5b to the spring contacts 6 and 7, respectively, on the circumference of the blocks 1. See Fig. 10.V

A double ended knife switch 10, of which a detail is shown in Fig. 6, is pivoted at the top of the block r on a bolt 11 and resistance to its pivotal movement is proyided by a coil spring-12.

The spring contacts 6 and 7 are arranged on the block r, so as to be adjacent the respective ends 10 and 10h of the knife switch 10. ,Pendant lugs 10 and 10d are provided on each end of the said knife switch and the latter is connected with the circuit 2 by means of a bar 15 connectin it with the switch member or contact t. ee Figs. 9 and 10.

A projecting insulated pin 13 is provided on the knife switch 10| and a compound manual'lever 20is pivoted on the exterior of the casing a and'is connected with the pin 13, so that asfthe lever 20 is moved manually, the knife switch w10 will be operated to open or close the signal circuits respectively.

The circuit 2 is connected to a source of electric energy a, and the circuit 3 is connected to the front and rear signals 30 and 30 i 31, 31,'provided preferably with a lens of j another distinctive color and/or shape arranged on the right side of the signals 30, 30,

nals 32, 32, provided pre erably with a lens different in color and/or shape from those previously described, and is located between f the elements 30, 30, and 31, 31a to function to orient the other signals when actuated.

To properly adjust our signal device, when it is being attached to a motor vehicle, the match mark m2 on the shaft m and the mark a on the side-of the casing a are positioned to register, in which position the switch member carried by arm p will-bein its intermedlate position, bearing on the switch member s and throwing on the orienting signals 32, 32B.

In the operation of our invention, which is essentially automatic,-when the motor -vehicle is moving straight ahead and the arm p 1s positioned so that switch member q has.

contact with switch member s the circuit 4 is closed and-the orienting signals 32, 32a are thrown on as shown by broken lines in Fig. 9.

When a turn is`to be made say to the left, the rotation of the steering wheel c rotates the pinion j, on the shaft or spindle z', which rotates the worm gear n, by means of the worm k, and causes the switch members g to be moved from the switch member or contact s to the arcuate switch member or vcontact s, thus closing the circuit 3 and illuminating the signals 30, 30, to indicate a left turn simultaneously breaking the circuit 4, discontinuing the guide or orienting signals 32, 32".

When the turn is completed and the steering wheel is rotated back to the straight ahead position, the switch member is again positioned to make contact with switch member s', thus breaking the circuit 3 and again closing the circuit 4, which discontinues the left turn signal 30, 30, and again illuminates the signal 32, 32 indicating a straight ahead course.

The operation of the right turn signal issimilar, the contact being made by the switch member'g with the arcuate switchmember s2, closing the circuit to the right hand signals 31, 31.

By this construction and arrangement, none of the operations of the steering wheel necessary to hold the motor vehicle on a straightahead course, will actuate the direction signals.

In short, the cooperating switchV elements lare so arranged that the movement of the steering wheel about twelve degrees, and thereby the guidin or steering groundwheels of the automo ile about one degree, to either side of a straight course, will not throw on either direction signal; such permitted movement of the steering wheel bein suilicient under the present generally use steering mechanism to keep the automobile l'on a 1 straight course.

But the amount of such permitted movement may be increased by filing the sides of I the switch member g, to reduce the width of its outer face; or by changing the spacings between the switch members s, s', and s2.

The described arrangement of the switch contacts or members of the signal circuits is further adapted to indicate the intention of v4,turning the automobile some distance ahead of making the turn,'as at present required by many tralic regulations. Y l

Furthermore, the ratio ofthe gearing between the movement of the steering Wheel and that of the arm p is so arranged that the extreme rotation which ma be given to, the steering wheel in one directlon will not move the switch member g from one of the contacts s or s2 to the other, and thus confuse the given signals in such operation of the steering wheel.

If it is desirable to maintain the guide signals 32, 32 in constant illumination to serve as'means for orienting the direction signals, we may, as shown in Fig. 1*, change the circuits of the guide signals 32, 32a to connect it directly with the circuit 2 and the source of electric energy fu; in' which case the contact section s', will be dead and serves merely as an inactive resting point for the contact bar g..

Furthermore, when itis desired to indicate manually a change in direction before the turn is actually being made, the lever 20, which is located conveniently adjacent the steering wheel, may be moved by the driver tothe left to indicate a left turn or'to the right to indicate a right turn. A left-hand ,tact 6, breaking the circuit through the knife switch, in lother lwords placing the knifey rswitch in neutral position, actuating `neither llO of the direction signals, butthe 'circuit 4 in l the meantime having been closed by the arm o, by the operation1 of the steering wheel the direction slgnal given lthrough the latter is not aiected, but lis discontinuedonly after the turn is completed as beforedescribed. A right turn'may be indicated similarly'.A

As will be apparent, our signal device' need not be connected directly by the steering wheel, butindirectly instead as, for example, through the steering shaft.

We claim:V l

1. A direction signaling deviceioomprising va spindle, means vfor supportindthe same on the steeringpost ofnan automdbilekwith fthe izo a gear adapted to mesh with said pinion, means for connecting said gear to the steering wheel, a worm on said spindle and a.

worm-gear meshing therewith, journaled iii said supporting means and a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, said switch including concentric, relatively fixed, spaced, arcuate contacts in each signal circuit, and a rotatable switch member actuated by said worm gear, the central point between said fixed contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation of said rotatable switch member, the angular positions of said fixed switch contacts and the motion imparted to said Yrotatable switch member, through said worm gear being arranged relative to'a predetermined amount or' motion to be permitted the steering wheel without making contact betwen the rotatable switch member and either fixed contact.

2. A direction signalling device comprising a casing and means for securing the casing to the steering post of an automobile, a spindle journaled in said casing parallel with the axis of the steering post, one end of the spindle projecting beyond said casing, a pinion on said projecting end, a split gear ada ted to mesh with said pinion and means or operatively connecting such gear to the steering wheel, a worm on said spindle within said casing, a worm gear journaled in the casing, in mesh with saidQvorm, a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, including arcuate contacts, the centers of said arcuate contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation of said worm gear,

and a rotatable switch member actuated by.

the worm gear, the angular positions of said arcuate contacts and the amount of movement imparted to said rotatable switch member from the steering wheel through said worin and gear being arranged relative to a predetermined amount of rotation to be permitted the steering wheel without energizing either direction signal.

3. A direction signaling device comprising a easing and means for securing the casing to the steering post of an automobile with a spindle j ournaled in said casing parallel with the axis of the steering post, one end of the Aspindle projecting beyond said casing, a pinion on said projecting end, a split gear adapted to mesh with said pinion and means for operatively connecting said gear to the steering wheel, a worm on said spindle within said casing, a worm gear journaled in the casing in mesh with said worm, a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, including arcuate contacts, the centers of said arcuate contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation of said worm gear, and a rotatable switch member carried by the f Worm gear, the angular positions of said arcuate contacts and the amount of movement imparted to said rotatable switch member from the steering wheel through said worm and gear being arranged relative to a predetermined amount of rotation to be permitted the steering wheel without energizing either direction signal.

4. A direction signalling device comprising a casing having a removable side and means for securing the body of the casing to the steering post of an automobile, a spindle journaled in the body of said casing parallel with the axis of the steering post, one end of the spindle projecting beyond said casing, a pinion on said projecting end, a split gear adapted to mesh with said pinion and means for operatively connecting such gear to the steering wheel, a worm on said spindle with said casing, a worm gear journaled in the body of said casing, in mesh with said worm, a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, including arcuate contacts, said contacts carried by the removable side'of said casing, the centers of said arcuate contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation of said worm gear, and a rotatable switch member actuated by the worm gear, the angular positions of said arcuate ycontacts and the amount of movement imparted to said rotatable switch member from the steering wheel through said worm and gear being arranged relative to a predetermined amount o rotation to be permitted the steering wheel without energizing either direction signal.

5. A direction signaling device comprising a casing and means for securing the casing to the steering post of an automobile, a spindle journaled in said casing parallel with the axis of the steering post, one end of the spindle projecting beyond said casing, a pinion on said projecting end, a split plate having a central opening and means for securing the same to the steering wheel, said plate provided with an annular pendant flange having internal gear teeth adapted to mesh with said inion, a worm on said spindle within sai casing, a worm gear journaled in the casing, in mesh with said worm, a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, including arcuate contacts, the centers of said arcuate contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation of said worm gear, and a rotatable switch member actuated by the worm gear, the langular positions of said arcuate contacts and the amount of movement imparted to said rotatable switch member from the steering wheel through said worm and gear being arranged relative to a predetermined amount of rotation to be permitted the steer- .ing wheel without energizing either direction signal.

6. A direction lsignaling device comprising a casing and means for securing the casioo' in to the steerin ost of an automobile, a spindle journale in said casing parallel with the axis of the steering post, one end of the 'spindle projecting beyond said casing, a pinion on said projectin end, a split gear adapted to mesh with sai pinion, and means for operatively connecting such gear to the steering wheel, a worin on said spindle within said casing, a worm gear journaled in the casing, in mesh with said worm, a switch adapted to be connected in the circuits of independent electric signals, including arcu-y ate contacts, the centers of said arcuate contacts coinciding with the axis of rotation oi said Worm gear, and a rotatable switch member actuated by the worm gear, the angular positions of said arcuate contacts and the amount of movement imparted to said rotatable switch member rom the steering wheel through said Worm and gear being arranged relative to a predetermined amount of rotation to be permitted the steering wheel without energizing eitherrv direction signal, the shaft of said worm-gear extending to the exterior of the casing wall in which it is journaled and means on said shaft end and the casing wall ada ted to indicate the position of said rotata le switch member relatively to said contacts.

7. In a direction signaling device for automobiles, a gear adapted to be fixed to the steeringwheel concentric with its axis of rotation, a spindle, means for supporting the spindle on the steering post parallel with the, axis thereof, a pinion on said spindle meshing with said gear, independentI electric signals, a switch in the circuits of the latter, carried by said su porting means, said switch including relatively fixed `contacts carried by a removable section of said suprting means, and a movable switch memer connected by suitable caring with said spindle, and thereby opera le to close either signal circuit, the movable switch member and gearing connecting the same to the spindle being carried by a relatively fixed section of said 'supporting means, whereby said fixed contacts and connections are removable without disturbing said movable switch member and its connection with said spindle.

8. In a direction signaling device for automobiles, inde endent `electric signals, and a switch contro ling the circuits thereof, said switch comprising an assembly of relatively fixed contacts connected in the circuit wires of said signals and to a source of electrical energy, and an operable switch member cooperating with said contacts, a support for said switch having a removable section, saidv assembly of fixed contacts being carried by .f said removable section, means thru whic said o erable switch meinbei` is operably connecte vwith the steering-wheel, said operableswitch-member and said operating connec` t-ion thereof being carried by the relatively fixed section of said support, whereby to permit the removal of said assembly without disturbing said operable switch member and the operating means thereof.

9. In a direction signaling device for automobiles, independent electric signals, and a switch controlling the circuits thereof, said switch comprising an assembly of relatively fixed contacts connected in the circuit wires of said signals, and to a source of electrical energy, and an operable switch member cooperating with said contacts, a casing supporting said switch, said casing having a removable side, said assembly of fixed contacts being carried by said removable side, said casing closed at the bottom, the latter provided with a slot adjacent said removable side, thru which slot the circuit wires connected to said contacts extend, means by which said o erable switch member is operably connecte with the steering wheel, said operable switch-member and said operating connection thereof bein carried by the relatively fixed sidevof sai casing, whereby to permit t-he removal of saidV assembly without disturbing said operable switch member and the operating means thereof.

l 10. In a direction signaling device for automobiles com rising independentv electric signals, a switc operatively connected with the steering wheel, including spaced concentric, primary, arcuate contacts in the circuits of sa1d`signals, and a rotatable switch member pivoted concentric with said contacts, an auxiliarymanually rockable switch-member ivoted between said primary contacts, the atter provided with supplementary contacts so arranged that the extremities of said auxiliary switch member may make contact with either thereof, said auxiliary switch member adapted normally to be neutrally positioned with respect to said supplementary contacts, and means whereby the movement of the rotatable switch-member, thru the medium of the ,steering wheel, moves said manual auxiliary switch member from its active intoits neutral position.

11. In a direction signaling device for automobiles comprising independent electric signals, a switch operatively connected with the steering wheel, including spaced concentric, primary, arcuate contacts in the circuits of said signals, and a rotatable switch member ivoted concentric with said contacts, an auxiliary manually rockable switch-member pivoted between said primary contacts, the latter provided with supplementary contacts so arranged that the extremities of said auxiliary switch member may make contact with either thereof, said auxiliary switch member adapted normally to be neutrally positioned with respect to said supplementary contacts,`

andmeans comprising abutments on the extremities of said auxiliary switch member located in the paths of rotation described by the free extremity of said rotatable switch member whereby the movement of the rotatable switch-member, thru the medium of the steering wheel, moves said manual auxiliary switch member from its active into its neutral position.

12. ln a direction signaling device for automobiles including a switch in the circuits of independent electric direction signals, and gearing 4connectingthe operable member of said switch with the steering wheel, said gearing including a gear mounted on the steering wheel concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said gear comprising an internal ring-gear' section and an annular'section, said sections being diametrically split' and removably secured one on the other with lapped joints.

13. In a direction signaling device for automobiles including a switchin the circuitsA of independent electric signals, and gearing connecting the operable member of said switch with the steering wheel, said gearing including a gear mounted on the steering wheel concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, said g'ear comprisingv a split plate having a central opening, and provided with anfannular pendant ange having internal 4gear teeth, means for mounting the gear on the steering wheel of an automobile concentric with the axis thereof.

14. In a direction signaling device for automobiles, including a switch in the circuits of independent electric direction signals, and

gearingconnecting the operable member of said switch with the steering wheel, said gearing including a gear mounted on the steerng wheel concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, a spindle, a pinion carried by said spindlemeshing with said gear, a casing in which said spindle is journalled, the body of said casingfhaving a reentrant side adapted to bear on the steering post, thereby to position said spindle parallel with the axis of the steering post.

15. In a direction signaling device for automobiles, including a switch in the circuits of independent electric direction signals, and gearing connecting the operable member of said switch with the steering wheel, said gearing including a gear mounted on the steering wheel concentric with the axis of rotation thereof, a spindle, a pinion carried by said spindle, meshing with said gear, a casing in which said spindle is journalled, said casing provided with ears, and shackles engaging with said ears, the body of said casing having a reentrant side adapted to bear on the steering po'st, thereby to position said axis of the steering vice for automobiles, a switch including an insulating disk having spaced concentric contending to compensate for any lost motion off the gearing due to Wear of its members. JOHN WINTER MARTIN. ERNEST .WILLIAN MANNTNG. JESS ANTHONY MANNING. 

